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View synonyms for

face-off

[ feys-awf, -of ]

noun

Ice Hockey.
  1. the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.
  2. an open confrontation.


face-off

noun

  1. ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players
  2. a confrontation
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to start play by (a face-off)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of face-off1

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Situated at the nexus of the face-off between the executive and judicial branches is a little-scrutinized arm of the federal government: the U.S.

From

They even shared a cordial handshake in one face-off interview.

From

The French-language face-off marked a key moment in the election as it gave leaders a chance to woo voters in the seat-rich province of Quebec.

From

But the face-off between China and the US - the world's biggest exporter and its most important market - remains a major concern.

From

Londoner Dubois, 25, smiled and flexed her muscles before the two women gently leaned in with their heads for the face-off.

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